BANGKOK– The Thai PBS TV channel, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and various other public as well as private organizations are joining forces in a project to combat drought in Thailand.
On the 24th of February 2016, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Thai PBS held a press conference to unveil a drought-combating project aimed at reducing urban water usage by 30 percent, by raising awareness of the drought issue among the Thai public. The goal is to allow more water to be diverted to the agricultural sector.
At the same time a conference made up of experts from various academic and governmental bodies is also discussing the likely extent of the growing drought. Thailand’s 2016 drought is already being described as the most severe in 20 years. Many experts mention that water conservation in urban areas is unlikely to be effective without cooperation from the agricultural sector, the main users.
Mr.Pisit Hongvanishkul, Assistant Governor (Plan Strategy) of the Provincial Waterworks Authority points out that 27 out of 51 of the Authority’s branches being monitored have experienced saltwater intrusion. These branches have already been put into reduced production, to combat the effects of the drought, which is much more severe than last year.
